[Speaker 2] (0:00 – 5:28)
Hello, this is Anna Kennedy. We’re talking all things autism and what a busy week yet again it has been for me Do you know what on Friday? I went for the first time something off my Bucket list if you like is to play crazy crazy golf.

I’ve never ever played crazy golf before but I really enjoyed it We went with some of the the girls and some of the charity volunteers and we had a really good time So yes, I definitely recommend it and if you live in London There’s a place called swingers near Oxford Circus right near the tube station and it’s really lovely and great food So yeah, if you want to go along have a go, it’s fantastic We’re busy working away on autism Scott talent with Daisy chain We’ve had quite a few meetings online and we are looking for talent in the Northeast So if you’re interested and you’d like to show us your talent So if you’re a singer a dancer a musician a poet Whether you go in a band whether you dance with these street dance, whether it’s ballet Please please send in your auditions for as young as age five and there’s no upper age limit And it will be happening it may in a fantastic theater called the globe theater in Stockton on T’s And I’ve been chatting to Katie and Harvey’s going to come along to support us one of our anti-bullying ambassadors So he’s going to be supporting us on stage as you know, Harvey loves the microphone So he will be chatting away and hopefully he’ll be able to play the organ for us as well So yes, we are going to be bringing some of the autism Scott talent performers from last year But we’re also looking for talented young individuals whether they’re children or adults who are autistic from the Northeast So check out the charity website www.anna Kennedy online.com and all the information is on there again. We’re still looking for autism heroes We’ve had so many and empties in already. There’s 12 different categories So if you’re looking for someone that goes the extra mile and it could be a parent It could be a carer a sibling a professional a business that you feel that goes the extra mile Please send in your nominations again All of the information is on the charity website go under the events page where it says Autism Hero Awards and you can nominate somebody who you feel could have either supported you or supported the autism community So I just wanted to share with you as I always do when books that get sent in to me a little bit about a book That might interest you so it’s across the spectrum a journey towards understanding and supporting individuals who are autistic The authors share experience of working as head teachers and especially schools provision at Francine Brewer has also worked as a review team leader and area coordinator for the National Autistic Society just remind you the book is called across the spectrum the Ethics of this book draws on a quote from temple grounding.

You can’t make me into something I am NOT you’ve got to meet me halfway. So if you’re interested in this book, it’s on the Bloomsbury education website I’ll just say that again Bloomsbury spelt b-l-o-o-m-s very you are why education and the price of the book is 24 pounds 99 another book that was sent to me a little while ago But I’ve shared once before on women’s radio, but I could just share again It’s called he’s not naughty a children’s guide to autism So he’s not naughty fed up of everyone not understanding her friend Jake Taran Candidly explains her simplistic understanding of autism although created for children of all ages and abilities This is also a quick and fun way of explaining to family and friends my children who are autistic behave the way they do Coupled with the distinctive talent of illustrator Ben Mason. This book provides a unique visual Representation of what it’s truly like to have autism if you can want to have interested in this particular book it’s from Bodhi books about B-O-D-H-I books and This particular book very well illustrated the author who I know is the Deborah Brownson MBE She was forced up to give her a legal career up Deborah found herself a full-time carer to her two autistic sons Frustrated by lack of empathy and basic understanding of this lifelong condition She wrote this book to help those around her children understand them better so it’s called he’s not naughty really love the illustrations in this book and Definitely a book to get if you really want to raise more awareness and acceptance of autism within the school or with family and friends So my guest today is Jameson stocks.

I met Jameson on Twitter I think was about five years ago and he’d be best known as James stock a celebrity chef who is gained International acclaim by receiving multiple national awards for his outstanding cooking at the age of 23 James became the youngest recipient of national restaurant of the year amongst other things been involved in a number of globally aired television programs MasterChef kick boss featured on CNN, ITV NBC Channel 4 just to name a few He’s also been an ambassador of the princess trust for 11 years now and after his phone hacked and press intrusion and having to give evidence at the Levinson inquiry Jameson took himself away from the public land like to concentrate bringing up his two children I’ve won one I’ve met Jackson a lovely young man and work away from the public eye. So welcome Jameson Thank you, Anna.

[Speaker 1] (5:28 – 5:29)
How are you?

[Speaker 2] (5:29 – 5:55)
Yeah, I’m good. Thank you Obviously, you know, we chat now and again and we met on Twitter Five years ago, so Before we talk about autism before we talk about anything else who is Jameson? I’ve given a little brief background but talk about where you from and growing up And I’ve got your siblings and just anything information that you feel comfortable sharing Well, thank you for the intro.

[Speaker 1] (5:55 – 6:39)
Yes. I was born in Leeds and I left home at 14 and because of Domestic problems and stuff at home So I left home very young and then I have no siblings or anything. I have a couple half brothers and sisters, which I think I know about and basically, I moved to London and I worked for a famous chef called Marco Pierre white and And Then I went off to Paris and then I started to do my own thing really I started to cook my own restaurant and Like my bio said I won lots of awards So, how did you get into cooking?

[Speaker 2] (6:40 – 6:44)
So you left home at 14, which must have been a really scary thing for you to do How did you call?

[Speaker 1] (6:47 – 8:18)
It was pretty tough. Yes, but To be honest with you. I wanted to cook from as long as I remember.

I remember a lot of people Say, you know age three four years older the one to be footballers and this time the other but I always wanted to cook always just something I always wanted to do and Because I never went to school. I had no qualifications. It kind of fell hand-in-hand Okay, so remember the first thing you cooked I don’t remember the first thing I cooked No, but I remember doing something with my grandma when I was maybe six or seven.

I fitted some sort of cherry Yogurt pie thing which was I still remember it to this day So I think that’s what probably inspired me to want to cook to be honest So what do you prefer cooking and savory or sweet things or a mixture? I’m not a pastry chef. No, I can do pastry, but I’m main kitchen what they call main kitchen.

So kind of fish meat Vegetables, you know that kind of thing starters hot starters you kind of move around the kitchen You know you kind of learn that section and then you move on to a different section and then if someone’s off you go into that section and You kind of you know, I did all so that’s what happens basically do have favorite sections, but In general you kind of get put on the toughest section if you the strongest cook

[Speaker 2] (8:18 – 8:27)
Okay, so when you opened your first restaurant, how did you get there was it a scary thing to do because obviously it’s not it’s not a small project

[Speaker 1] (8:28 – 9:11)
No, well, I was actually living in Paris at the time I’d moved from front from my London over to Paris and I got an opportunity to go into Scotland as a director and part owner and I thought to myself, you know, I’ve come from North and I’ve had no family support I’ve never had any Financials back in or anything in my life. So I thought well, this is probably the best opportunity I’m gonna get You go into some for where which is established and then that’s what I did.

He was pretty scary I felt a lot of pressure and that’s probably why I worked even harder than I should have But after winning the awards and everything it kind of paid off. So I’m worth all, you know, four five months in advance

[Speaker 2] (9:13 – 9:31)
You Don’t have to be pretty passionate in my opinion I’ve always thought this when watching programs about the the actual long hours that you have to do when working as a chef or especially if you’re a manager as well, so How do you cope with that and sort of working long hours and you know, I’d imagine you wouldn’t get much sleep either

[Speaker 1] (9:31 – 10:08)
Well, I didn’t I mean when you’re young and you don’t have much money and you Don’t have any family as such. I mean when I worked in London, I was working six days a week.

I had a Sunday off And I was starting at half six seven o’clock in the morning. I was getting home at two o’clock in the morning some day So for me it was kind of For me, it was kind of everyday life I just did it because I had nothing else to do so I just threw myself into it so as you get older and you start stills in relationships that you kind of Have you know, you can’t really want him to be doing that anymore

[Speaker 2] (10:09 – 10:41)
Yeah, so Scott Scotland’s a very beautiful part of the world up in there a couple of times now So you’ve moved back to? England so you now are a dad of two lovely boys and obviously I’ve met one of them Jackson So talk to me a little bit about Jackson’s struggles and about you struggling as a single father That because obviously I’ve had this chat with you, but for our listeners Well, obviously things changed Through work out to give evidence and stuff regarding the leathers and inquiries.

[Speaker 1] (10:41 – 11:16)
So that kind of gave me a lot of time to Focus on both boys. In fact, you know, I sort of work in stupid hours. I was pretty much focused at home and with Jackson he I have to be honest with you when he was first born We didn’t really I didn’t really know to be honest with you.

I knew there was something but he was It’s quite hard to explain really but I just knew there was something and Only as he got a little bit older than it started to develop Those know it’s something different between him and his brother

[Speaker 2] (11:20 – 11:25)
Sorry, how old are they both now and when and how old was he when you felt that you knew

[Speaker 1] (11:28 – 13:07)
Well Jackson was 12 now he was 12 last week 25th of January, which was Burns night, which is quite significant in Scotland Yeah, and my youngest son Cayden. He’s now 10 and I’d say Truth be told when he was starting to learn words When he was started when he should have you know He was he’s very sporadic and what he learned from what I didn’t learn He started to do the alphabet backwards before I could do it forwards Just a bit strange at the time.

I thought this, you know, I just thought it was a bit strange at the time because I mean I didn’t even know the alphabet as quickly backwards as what he did and then just little things what he was doing and compared to his brother who was younger and I took him to get diagnosed. I think he was diagnosed about three and a half and The news straight away, I mean you’re an expert but for me I Did what everyone else did really and googled it To be honest with you. I should never have done that Just gone to an expert straight away because Google Was bringing up things which wasn’t even right So have you ever heard of autism before when before your son was diagnosed?

Not really now I I’d heard of it. But I mean until you actually come in contact with someone with autism or A loved one, particularly it’s not something people really Want to understand That makes sense.

[Speaker 2] (13:07 – 13:40)
Yeah It’s getting it’s getting better obviously now with autism awareness, but what everybody wants within the autism community is autism Acceptance, so he’s diagnosed at three and a half So it’s correct. So was he diagnosed by a consultant pediatrician at hospital or assessment center? And did they explain to you exactly what it was and did they help you, you know to guide you if you like He went to an assessment center initially and the lady was fantastic.

[Speaker 1] (13:40 – 15:52)
She’s a new straight away. She just knew She was she was I remember to this day actually she she sat down with me on my own so I was obviously I had the children on my own at that point and Caden Caden was also with me and she said to me that, you know, she just explained to me very calmly what it was But you know, they told me they told me that particular time you might have like speech impediments He may not be able to integrate well with other children play sports Maybe not the same school You know, there’s a chance they might not talk at all really So that was quite scary to be honest Especially with him being my oldest son and I thought to myself, you know, I just didn’t really compute it to be honest with you I didn’t really fully understand it until He started teaching me because his mannerisms and the way he was You know, if you needed food for instance when he was your baby he I just know I could feel it within that he needed it. He just tell me and without having to speak and You know, we’ve built a you know, we built a report. He’s just been three of us for a long time.

So his mannerisms and in the way he is is quite different to other children who I’ve met since who are autistic and How does he get on with his brother? I Say this all the time. I mean if there weren’t brothers, I think we’d probably be best friends.

Anyway, that’s nice Caden see Jackson’s very clever in regards to Things he knows When it comes to very simple things like tiny few laces Fasten this coat up with his death. He should also his brother helps them. That’s nice Wow It is it’s lovely.

I mean, I’m pretty I’m pretty blessed really to have have cade them as a brother for him because Otherwise it’d be a lot harder for me So what sort of struggles do you have as a single father?

[Speaker 2] (15:52 – 16:17)
I have spoken to other fathers that have been left alone Whether it’s usually the mother that’s left behind and you know, if the father leaves the family I have spoken to I would say probably three or four and Fathers that have been left with their sons So what what was it been like for you like juggling trying to work trying to look at your sons? Obviously been diagnosed with autism trying to get the right support. How has it been for you?

[Speaker 1] (16:19 – 17:41)
On a personal level it was pretty tough to begin with because Because of what happened in the media and stuff. I found it very difficult to work in the UK until we went to court Okay Then, you know, I was just trying to earn money as and when I can but when you’ve got two babies Now you’re happy. It’s not always that easy It was a huge learning curve huge, I mean I wouldn’t say I was a particular selfish person in my younger days but I was certainly Quite self-driven in regards to career wise and then once you’ve got responsibilities, especially with an autistic child It kind of brings things to light that maybe things In the past were important.

But in fact, the most important thing is actually the closest to you and with Jackson and Cajun You know, I would never change things. I mean, obviously people have their own Views on things but from my perspective if Jackson Wasn’t himself and wasn’t him It will just wouldn’t feel normal to me. I’ve known him just as an old been autistic all his life So for me, it’s kind of normal.

[Speaker 2] (17:41 – 17:48)
Yeah, so Jackson go to a mainstream school or a unit or a special educational needs school

[Speaker 1] (17:48 – 19:09)
Well, this is the thing when Jackson Jackson was in nursery The council at the time wanted him to go into a specialist school Which I didn’t want to be honest, I wanted him to have the opportunity to go into mainstream school, okay so I kind of fought it to the nail even you know threatened to kind of go to court some stuff if I had to because I felt that I Thought he had a the time I think he deserved the chance to go to mainstream school Yeah, if you were struggling by all means I’d have taken him out and I’d have put him in some sort of specialist autistic school or you know around Particularly particular teachers who understand autistic children. Where’s the mainstream school at the time? They weren’t really equipped for that Mm-hmm Thankfully before it went to court or anything.

They did give me An opportunity they said to me listen if after six months if Jackson’s fuddling Would need to reassess the situation and I said yes, obviously, you know, even if it’s before you could fiddle straight away But touch word, you know is 12 now has been in mainstream school since brilliant.

[Speaker 2] (19:09 – 19:11)
So what’s his interest? What’s he like?

[Speaker 1] (19:13 – 19:53)
Trains And to do with trains is obsessed, you know train times from Liverpool in Scotland all the way down to Plymouth who knows train times of London. He knows the underground back and forth now He does he loves trains but he also likes aeroplanes he likes buses he likes anything with the time Something has to be there on time. Yeah, that’s what he likes Cliff the time if he doesn’t brush his teeth half past seven That puts the whole night out So what do you think?

[Speaker 2] (19:54 – 19:56)
Sorry finish off.

[Speaker 1] (19:56 – 20:15)
Sorry cuz There is It’s a bit of stick with the time Like I said, and obviously he misses his time or his timetable or what he’s supposed to do with that particular time on that particular night particular week That’s it. It’s out then for the next couple of days Yeah, that reminds me of my son Patrick.

[Speaker 2] (20:15 – 21:06)
He’s a bit like that. He’s very much for time Just it just this morning even where the his microwaves not working in his flat and the chap who’s supposed to be coming to fix It was coming between certain times So it’s between 9 and 11 and they got to 11 and he had never arrived So the I could he kept WhatsApp in me all the time But then the chat came about 15 minutes later because he found it difficult to pop and I could just Feel the whole is anxiety sort of drifter work as the chapter finally turned up But yeah, I totally get where you’re coming from so what do you think the future holds for you and you two boys and and what what what what what can you see Happening for him during transition. It’s obviously that’s a big step.

I know he’s only 12 now You’ve got the teenagers to come look at you but What do you think the future holds for you for the family and for the Jackson and the book and his brother?

[Speaker 1] (21:06 – 22:45)
Well, we recently moved down to Sussex from Scotland so we’ve been down here for four or five months now So that’s a big change especially for an autistic Child like Jackson, he you know changes it changes sometimes good, but also it has to be right Mm-hmm. And as long as he feels that it’s right that you know, he’s his calmness is very much there for us as a family, I’m Because the boys are a little bit older now and I’m in a position where I can Go and work a little bit more and I can go and do more things without having them in pushchairs, for instance, or You know the teasing stage or the stuff what they’ve done in the past now they’re quite excited to see me do what I do best which is cooking and also You know enjoy life and you know, they have experiences which they love and you know, we’re just going to continue moving forward in a positive way and Helping each other.

That’s all we can basically ask for really The dude, yes Jackson likes licking the bowl out more than cooking My younger son’s more of a cook he likes it Jackson Jackson’s more the showman. He likes to be in front of the camera. He likes to He just enjoys that.

I don’t know where he gets it from because I’m I’m not particularly As comfortable in front of a camera as what he has but he’s lovely.

[Speaker 2] (22:45 – 22:49)
I’ve checked him We’ve obviously spent a few hours together. We’ve got a little yeah, it’s lovely.

[Speaker 1] (22:50 – 22:54)
Um so It does have to ask about you.

[Speaker 2] (22:54 – 23:08)
It does often Say remember when we went to that place with Anna, so He’s lovely and So if you were to look back, what would you do differently or if anything?

[Speaker 1] (23:11 – 24:17)
Well Going back good a bit hindsight really but for my point of view I would Maybe not listen to so many opinions on Autism and actually just go straight from the expert. Yeah Because when Jackson was younger, I Don’t know whether you know, it was just me or not But I didn’t feel there was as many autistic children around or maybe there were but they weren’t diagnosed Maybe there wasn’t as much Information or correct information out there. So for me, I would definitely Try to embody myself either in some sort of What’s up group or some sort of forum trusted forum Engage with experts as yourself because It’s a minefield and for me for me my myself personally, I’m I’m very much learning as well on the job I don’t feel like I’m an expert.

[Speaker 2] (24:18 – 24:39)
I think the thing is you learn all the time I’m still learning with my own two sons when you think you know something, you know It’s what I always say that comes and bites you on the phone type of thing but it’s just a constant learning process learning about each other and It’s a day. I always say it’s day to day some days good some days not so good Totally agree.

[Speaker 1] (24:39 – 25:49)
I mean Jackson, you know touch wood. He’s not such a it doesn’t cause me a lot of problems But that’s when I were the most because he seems to be just kind of Doing everyday things but then it’s like five steps forward and three steps back, you know, once you think he’s In some sort of great routine or something and you know, he’s going he goes to bed relatively early Jackson also You know, then all of a sudden something happens something I have a Unbalances I might call it on balance and something in a day or something from two days ago or three days ago Even a week ago or two weeks ago could unbalance them any moments It doesn’t it doesn’t unbalance them there and then it always seems to be a slight delay with him.

He seems to Remember something from maybe two three months ago. Then all of a sudden he’s unbalanced and then once his unbalances it becomes quite Certainly now it becomes quite difficult Not in an aggressive manner or anything but more in a probing kind of once in a reaction out of me, yeah

[Speaker 2] (25:51 – 27:06)
Yeah, I totally get what you say, you know, obviously having two sons myself and speaking to other parents that said similar things It’s just a learning curve and sometimes you need to find out what the trigger is as well for the behavior Try and unpick, you know what happened the day before what’s happened today, you know Exactly, and then it builds up a pattern. I always say to parents, you know, keep a log of stuff So, you know say for example if it happens every Tuesday that might upset or sensory overload What’s happened before that what’s happened after that and then with some like for example sports one parent It was because it was PA physical education hated PA hated taking socks off and going on to a cold floor Sensory type of thing and then this we’re able to unpick why every Tuesday this behavior or I don’t want to go to school So there’s always a reason there’s always ways of finding out. So Yeah, just get to really know and you said I’m good It’s good to talk to the school when they’re at school as well so that you know what’s going on You know what kind of day they’ve had they know what kind of a night you’ve had all those sort of things It really does help so and we’ve been chatting obviously before and you were talking to me About a possible documentary that you’re going to be doing with Netflix. So talk to me a little bit about that. And how did that come about?

[Speaker 1] (27:07 – 28:05)
well again moving down south Regards to media and everything London seems for the place to be I was I was the first of all, I was actually approached to do a book about my life story about Everything from childhood to the recent turmoil in my life and And then someone else contacted me wanting to do something and obviously the Netflix Contacted me out of the blue asking me if I wanted to do a four-part series about my life story like a Document for your search, but mother sit down thing Yeah, talking about my cookery life my childhood my remote recent relationships everything basically, so Yeah, it’s quite exciting. I’ve I do get excited from time to time.

[Speaker 2] (28:05 – 28:23)
But with this project, I’m I’d rather put my own story out there than someone else tell my story Yeah, so are you are you do you feel comfortable with sharing information about your songs and about yourself and about your past and your life And all the rest of it you feel okay about that.

[Speaker 1] (28:23 – 29:19)
I’m not an age now You know, I am pretty comfortable in my own skin. I know myself and I do speak to the boys Jackson was very reluctant to Be on red carpets and stuff with me when he was younger my other son’s not he’s completely different But now he he understands. He’s at an age where he can read obviously, so I’ve had the Conversation with both boys, you know, if you don’t feel comfortable in the public eye, you don’t want to do anything You don’t have to she’s there, right?

And I don’t force on them So, you know, they’re quite excited. I did tell them I’m going to be going over to Geneva over in Switzerland to to do this documentary and And I asked them, you know, they can be a part of it all the zones

[Speaker 2] (29:20 – 29:37)
Well, how do you find so say for example, you have to do all this stuff That’s open to parents as well They find it difficult to find carers that are able to look after their sons and really understand them And obviously there’s a trust issue there as well. So is that how are you going to work that out?

[Speaker 1] (29:37 – 31:29)
Well Really good point in my thoughts my last relationship my ex said to me When the boys were younger Why didn’t he just get a nanny? Why didn’t you just do that? why didn’t you get a babysitter and go and continue your life continue your career and everything and You know, I said and you know, she’s a doctor funny enough and I you know, I thought to myself It’s not as easy as that because first of all, it is a trust issue Best of all the children need to like the person who is actually coming into the home and the other thing is as well is that You know, it’s not that easy to find someone who understands to treat autistic children in the kind ways and you know and and that kind of Health what’s required or emotional health physical health. However, your child is I just found it very difficult to to do that. So I actually purposely consciously chose not to do that And then when I do go to europe and I go i’ll go to holland actually the end of this week the children will Come with me And what about this?

Well the long half term next week, so that’s um, that’s a good thing I do thanks for everything around half terms as much as possible But on the odd occasion when I do need to go Up to london up to work and do things up in various different places I do have a support network around where I live in Sussex Where the boys are over k with someone for two three hours Because again, they’re at an age now where they’re not Relying on the bums changed and everything else, you know, they’re pretty they’re pretty good actually in general

[Speaker 2] (31:29 – 32:35)
Yeah, I always remember Because patrick was uh premature when he was born. He was only two pounds And obviously we had a difficult time for the first year And then I had to go back to work because needs must you know, you can’t always be off You know works type of thing.

So I went back to work and then there was somebody who cared for him I thought I could trust and sort of knew before and then I went back to pick patrick up early Because I finished earlier the project that was doing and then I found him in the buggy sitting outside In the front Where the street where she lived and she had her front door shut and I thought I could have been anyone And just walked off with the buggy and it was just like I was so angry And I was just like I felt I was going to cry and I just thought I can’t take him back there anymore So it’s the look the carer issue. It’s just it’s huge and you need to be able to put your hand on your heart You’re never going to know a hundred percent So say for example someone like angela he’s never going to be able to tell me, you know Somebody if anyone’s done anything to him or you know, it’s because and it’s just that trusting It’s a huge thing for a family, you know to be able to trust somebody

[Speaker 1] (32:36 – 32:41)
A hundred percent I’m quite lucky really in respect that cadence with him.

[Speaker 2] (32:42 – 32:42)
Yeah

[Speaker 1] (32:43 – 32:57)
so if anything was to occur Caden would tell me straight away anyway, but again It’s like finding a needle in a haystack and then also you’re going to work To actually pay for someone to look after your children

[Speaker 2] (32:57 – 33:00)
Yeah, it’s quite expensive now as well

[Speaker 1] (33:00 – 35:26)
I mean that’s the thing, you know, I can I can go and work and do this and do that but You know, I actually miss the children as well a little bit because they’ve been part of my life for you know It’s just been three of us up until um You know i’ve had relationships here and there but it’s just mainly been the three of us. So we’re very close But now they’re at an age where they’re at school and they’ve got you know girlfriends and they’ve got friends at school and They’re actually detaching themselves away from me a little bit. Yeah, which is nice Yeah, it also gives me a bit of a life now.

I feel like i’ve dedicated my whole life for the last 12 years to bringing up jackson and Unfighting legal cases Yeah So what’s been the biggest obstacle you would say you could overcome with jackson’s? life and progress Well jackson is the area must say defenders when he was in the primary school Um, well in nursery school he had them on all the time and then He’s kind of he doesn’t wear a defender at all now, which is fantastic He’s always been a very good eater. So that’s never been an issue with him.

I think the biggest Hurdle with jackson is actually self-confidence with him He was quite nervous when he was younger quite, you know, timid in fact He’s never going to be the life soul of the party or anything because it’s just not his nature. He’s very quiet but He has started to come out of his shell these last few years. He has started to Hold his head up high and not feel uncomfortable or anything.

He does play sports so despite what the Diagnosis was when he was three and a half for three, you know, he’s always played sports within school He played tennis brilliantly He’s got a really good social A life of his friends, you know, he’s very sociable again. That’s something what they were diagnosed That he may not be able to do he speaks perfectly He he reads very well so You know the biggest thing for me is that even though back then When he was first diagnosed and they’re telling me all the negatives you won’t do this. You won’t do this You won’t do that In fact, he’s actually done everything

[Speaker 2] (35:27 – 35:55)
I’ve heard that so many times where you know, I think the worst thing I ever heard was that You need to resign yourself This is a teacher telling a parent you need to resign yourself to the fact that the only thing your husband your husband Sorry, your child can do is um empty dust bins Not that there’s anything wrong with the bean, you know, but Fancy saying that to some I don’t know.

I’ve heard some really some real clangers. It’s just like why would you say well?

[Speaker 1] (35:56 – 37:51)
That’s the thing you say. I mean, I I remember coming out of of the meeting actually in Edinburgh when I when he got diagnosed I’m thinking to myself The teller me he’s not going to speak until he’s like 10 11. Yeah He’s not going to be able to go to normal school.

He’s going to need constant care when he’s an adult He’s you know, you know, there’s just really enough all the negative things but Like I said a couple of times in this interview, I wouldn’t change Jackson I wouldn’t change his I wouldn’t change him at all I would I never sat down or gone to bed or Spoken to anyone. I said oh I wish Jackson was more like Kaden In fact, I actually think that me and Kaden should be more like Jackson because it’s so He looks at the world completely different to us Did you tell me when we had a chat, um, i’m sorry if i’m wrong that you think you might have dyslexia Well, I couldn’t read. Um, I I didn’t read particularly well until I was in my early 20s I don’t know whether it’s dyslexia or whether it’s the fact I Was a bit lazy at school.

I have no idea to be honest with you Um, it sounds like you had a turmoil in you know in your younger years, so if you obviously suffered In family life and then you left home at 14 Well, i’ve never had I never had the I’ve never had the real support You know, i’ve never had i’ve never had that in life. It’s the only thing i’ve ever craved in life is some sort of safety net under me, you know because You know when i’ve gone into businesses or when I bought houses or i’ve done i’ve done certain things in my previous life You know if all goes wrong, it’s just me and the boys. I don’t have A money tree in the garden and I don’t have a mum and dad who can You know help me financially and emotionally with the children and stuff.

[Speaker 2] (37:51 – 38:19)
It’s just me Yeah, he ever reached out to your mum and dad sort of later on in life Probably not Okay Now say that he’s that yeah one of our ambassadors been like, you know He went through a very similar situation left home that he saw years down the line sort of gone back He shared this as well on on the radio Forgive this mom if you like. Um, so yeah, I just wondered if you had Well, I haven’t seen my dad since I was eight.

[Speaker 1] (38:19 – 39:08)
So god knows where he is and um in regards to the rest of my family Because of what was written in newspapers and having to clear my name after six or seven years. There’s this stuff being online Yeah, I never felt that support again for me. It’s always been about having a safety net Having some support and you know, there’s a good saying out there where people say, you know, you can’t choose your family, but you can choose your friends and Yeah, i’m lucky.

I have quite a lot of good friends now and um And you understand Jackson, I mean in all truthness Someone who has no understanding of autism, which is quite a lot of people I have to say um It wouldn’t necessarily pick up that jackson was autistic straight away anyway.

[Speaker 2] (39:09 – 39:10)
No, no

[Speaker 1] (39:11 – 39:26)
You did But you know And I would I would because i’ve been around it and many of your viewers would But in general people are quite ignorant to the fact that you know, they say, you know, not all disability is visible

[Speaker 2] (39:27 – 39:32)
Yeah, and sometimes they just don’t want to know either so there’s that to take into account as well

[Speaker 1] (39:32 – 39:33)
Exactly

[Speaker 2] (39:33 – 39:56)
So bearing away from autism just for a minute because I remember us having this chat When we were in hammersmith You like clothes and when I saw you you had an amazing red suit on like I think was it tartan?

And um, it was uh by vivian westwood and obviously sadly vivian’s died But he told me a story about vivian about how he met her and if you don’t mind sharing

[Speaker 1] (39:56 – 42:29)
well You can lead us into it if you wish but yeah, I mean Majority of my clothes literally in a far vivian westwood clothes and um, I loved it to bits She was very you know, she was a pioneer for um You know for the fashion industry and unfortunately died um Around quite a difficult time for myself personally because my relationship broke down. Yeah, and then um A few days later vivian died.

So It wasn’t particularly a happy um christmas this year for my personal selves No, I remember you saying that when you were younger You always admired vivian westwood and their clothes and everything and then you went to the shop and then you met her so I did well I used to I used to live on the streets in london. I used to stay along king’s road and I used to walk past the vivian westwood shop every single day in l.a And many people have a story, you know They walked past the garage and they always wanted to buy a lamborghini or something. But I always Said to myself if I ever made any money, I’d I’d I’d wear a vivian westwood clothes because I just love them.

Yeah People ask me this call I always say that she was firm but sir Okay, if you ever felt that you were Crossing the line to tell you. Yeah, even though she’s a bit of a maverick herself The yeah, I mean when i’m on the phone now i’m just smiling thinking about her. I remember many occasions when I’ve spoken to her.

I did I did a photo shoot with her A few years ago actually in paris And he’s just you know, it’s quite sad actually. I feel quite sad even talking about it But on the other hand, I always think it’s better celebrating someone like her because her clothes will live on in my lifetime and It’s just an inspiration to everyone actually so this person not just to people who like fashion but also People, you know myself. I don’t like injustice I’m very not i’m that’s anything I don’t stand in life is injustice if I see someone Being treated wrong or treated unwell Along them lines.

I’m one of the first people to stand up to them. But if I see something I just the way i’ve been always my life I’m a bit of a rebel I suppose So fast to say to you I’ll give you a magic wand.

[Speaker 2] (42:29 – 42:32)
Where can you see yourself in 10 years time and your kids?

[Speaker 1] (42:34 – 43:36)
Well, i’d like to see the boys happy As everyone else or every parent out there would I’d like to see jackson live On his own find someone You know Maybe you know he’d be quite young by then but hopefully he’ll He’ll have the skills in life and confidence to learn to want to live on his own and for myself I think i’d just like to be happy anna and And live life and you know big content because I feel like i’ve lived five or six lives and every time I seem to find something which I think’s there It kind of doesn’t so now i’m just taking every day at a time And just taking every opportunity at a time because when I was earlier on in my life I was offered a lot of opportunities and I always said no because of the boys But I was on the opportunity to come along now i’m just going to take them and see where they go

[Speaker 2] (43:37 – 43:55)
Okay, so because this is a show for mental health and well-being I always ask my guests What do you do for me time?

So what did you do for me time before you had the boys? And what do you do for me time now that helps you with your own mental health and well-being?

[Speaker 1] (43:56 – 44:38)
Well Before I had the boys I would have said I didn’t have any sort of mental well-being issues at all because It wasn’t something what was spoken about But looking back at it now With everything what i’ve been through and trauma and upset and stuff I do feel I did frugal when I was younger and I never spoke to anyone I certainly feel that I I could have done but I think a lot of the trauma and stuff with the press was pretty damaging as well for me I look back at it now And I think it was at the particular time.

[Speaker 2] (44:38 – 44:42)
I didn’t see it How long ago was it?

[Speaker 1] (44:42 – 44:46)
um I was 24 25.

[Speaker 2] (44:47 – 44:58)
So Yeah, so there was a lot of negative stuff I don’t want to know what it was but it obviously impacted on your life Impacted on my life greatly.

[Speaker 1] (44:58 – 47:22)
I mean I just won numerous national awards I started filming for channel five. I’ve I’ve been signed a book deal with a big publishing house I’d actually literally I’d actually just bought A plot of land to build a house on in an area of scotland Right. I had you know I was living a good life very young And you know, it’s not about money and stuff.

It’s actually more for me about Doing something I love but also getting recognition for it Right and then like everything in life and people’s celebrities and stuff once you get to certain level Papers try and put on and ask what they did with me and I wasn’t media trained and I never I was never taught how to respond to Negative things because everything before then was all positive positive positives Yeah, and you know someone told me I was I could walk on water then I probably believed that Right, that’s the truth. I mean I was young. I you know, I did make mistakes.

I trusted the wrong people um a journalist basically came after me and she was quite relentless throughout the whole of my career and in fact when the papers were found guilty of harassment and I’m guilty of inaccuracies I think 97 percent of the articles what were taken down were all from her So yeah, and that was pretty tough and for me mentally I became pretty unemployable even though beforehand I was turning jobs down left right and center for so the mentality switch was very tough. Yeah but luckily, you know In the leveson inquiry when the phone hacking scandal happened, you know, I managed to get my point across And you know, I was found To have done nothing wrong. Yeah, but by that point By that point stuff had been online for six or seven years and lingered and regenerated and Gratated and everything and because I took myself away Not just to look after the boys but also to heal myself Yeah, I found it tough reading stuff was just completely untrue so

[Speaker 2] (47:23 – 47:32)
You know, I’m gonna say you worry Because obviously you’ve got the netflix thing next year in your book that it might resurface again

[Speaker 1] (47:32 – 48:18)
Well, I think it will but to be honest, I’m pretty sure it will to be honest But you know I have Certain non-disclosures I can’t discuss so maybe maybe that will Keep the heat down on a few things but you know, I feel in life everyone has a story whether you’re famous not famous semi-famous or I’m single mum single dad.

Everyone’s got a story in them. Everyone I think you know for me I’d rather tell my own story than someone Write my story now and also I don’t think my children deserve that Yeah, I think you know, I don’t want them reading stuff online from 16 17 years ago, which is completely untrue.

[Speaker 2] (48:19 – 48:28)
Yeah Because I don’t think it’s good for their mental well-being either Okay, so for your well-being now, what do you do? What do you do just for you?

[Speaker 1] (48:28 – 48:29)
I play tennis.

[Speaker 2] (48:29 – 48:31)
How do you I do?

[Speaker 1] (48:31 – 49:26)
Yeah, I play tennis. I love tennis Um, so i’m a member of a couple of clubs and I play for a team and um Yeah, i’m on a i’m on a i’m a member of soho house. I play on the whatsapp group there I play tennis groups there in london as well.

So It’s nice to meet different people Is it a good stress buster? For me personally, yes And also i’m type 1 diabetic How are you? I am yes, i’m type 1 diabetic.

So for me to um To do exercise in a game, which I enjoy Is good for my health but also i’m good for my head Okay. I think I think it’s important to um To do something to keep you active and keep you strong People listening in with reference to type 1 diabetes.

[Speaker 2] (49:26 – 49:29)
How did that come about? What sort of things did you notice before you were diagnosed?

[Speaker 1] (49:31 – 50:27)
Well again Dr Well, what happened was I was actually filming in manchester And I came I flew back up to scotland on an airplane and I collapsed on the airplane And I got taken. Um, I got taken to the hospital royal infirmary in Glasgow And um, the basically sat me I was in a bed and they told me you type 1 diabetic So Again, you know it’s a bit of a surprise because Type one, you know me born with it or you kind of develop at a young age what I was told And they said to me because my diet and my Because of the way I exercised and played sports You know my it never really occurred in my life when I was younger So that was a bit of a surprise So I went straight on to insulin and i’ve been on insulin ever since

[Speaker 2] (50:28 – 50:34)
So have you obviously been a chef? Do you have to change your diet and everything? What sort of things can you eat?

[Speaker 1] (50:34 – 51:06)
I actually ate pretty well. I think what happened was when I was filming. I don’t think I ate enough right And I went my my figures went low I find Everyone’s different again.

I mean Ibeat is is quite broad spectrum. But for me When my blood sugar goes low, that’s why it’s more dangerous for me Um, I feel quite faint You know, but again since i’ve played tennis, I don’t need to take as much insulin

[Speaker 2] (51:07 – 51:21)
Okay, I always remember working with someone he used to carry a mars bar or a marathon or Whether they’re snickers Snickers yeah, right wrong with him in his bag just in case his sugar got low

[Speaker 1] (51:21 – 51:43)
I do I normally have a little bit of fudge Or um, yeah, I do but honestly I very rarely need to I very rarely need to take it to be honest with you because my diet is pretty good and I think I think it’s important to have a good diet in life anyway, whether you’re diabetic or not Yeah purely again for your mental health

[Speaker 2] (51:43 – 51:47)
So we told the boys in case you have low sugar what they need to do

[Speaker 1] (51:47 – 52:36)
Yeah, there’s been known for a few years now. There’s I know where the insulin is in the fridge and um Caden Knows where to drop it and I like if I if I need it, but such words are never needed too And um, you know, I i’m very open with both boys. I explained to them Everything you know, there’s a no No, I don’t like to keep anything from them.

Yeah, it’s gonna psychologically damage them but i’m pretty open with them in regards to my health and I sit down with them and we know I have a Sunday lunch on a Sunday and we Discuss things and we discuss what we’ve done at school every day and yeah So that means quite important as well So they can be open and talkative with me because I don’t want them keeping stuff for worrying about stuff

[Speaker 2] (52:36 – 52:48)
Yeah, so we’ve got a few minutes to go. So just before we Finish chatting. Um, obviously you’ve been an ambassador for the princess trust for about 11 years.

How did that come about? And What did you do?

[Speaker 1] (52:49 – 55:29)
well Yeah A bit of a whirlwind really but yes, um, I initially got approached by the princess First Earlier than that i’ve actually been with the princess for probably about 14 years, but I was made an ambassador You know a couple of years later okay, um I was Asked a few things to help them with actually one of the things was Because i’ve been homeless and because I see this for those from people who are homeless one of the things is what the counter is that When people who have been on the streets for a long time They don’t know how to cook They don’t know how to make simple foods because all we used to eat in is soup and sandwiches and stuff handed to them Yeah, so one of the things what I actually put in place in scotland and in in other areas of the uk Is training programs for people who have been awarded houses for the government or got some sort of grants to get a house or a home So again, I think I think everyone deserves to have a house that’s um One thing which i’m quite strong about And we’re putting programs to help them teach them Budget Because you know once you get a house they can they can go on to benefits and you know, then they can Start the life, you know, and a lot of people didn’t know even how to use a knife So I did that with the princess dress and then prince charles. Well, I was the king now Yeah, he asked me to um To help in other aspects of the princess dress and fundraising and various different things. So i’ve done that and um again You know charity work I’m very childable person anyway, but for me, it’s like gives me another thing to get excited about and health because When I was on the streets the only people or Organization who really helped me was probably Salvation army.

Yeah, they used to help them with clothes um But because of my age, they’re always trying to get me they’re always trying to keep hold of me to kind of put me into uh Yeah, because I was young So it was it was tough that there wasn’t particularly many people out there helping me when I was younger and so much help and Advice you can get now and if I can help in any Any kind of small way That’s something which i’m quite interested in doing and you know long um

[Speaker 2] (55:30 – 55:43)
yeah so if um If you have to give any advice to somebody who’s just had a child diagnosed on the autism spectrum in a minute or so What what what advice would you get?

[Speaker 1] (55:45 – 56:45)
Don’t panic and I would breathe I wouldn’t I wouldn’t start worrying or spreading about something was probably you know, you don’t know what’s going to happen Jackson’s have lived in proof of that. I said he wasn’t gonna do this wasn’t gonna do that. He did it And I would I’d breathe i’d be excited because a new child is is exciting and then I would I’d honestly My personal opinion I would go and speak to other autistic You know parents of autistic children because that’s the best way of learning Yeah autistic adults too because You know you’re getting it straight from the horse’s mouth.

You’re not getting it from google and in these different Forums you’re just getting it straight from The people who know it best and the people who know it best the people who live with autistic people or people who are actually autistic That’s my advice Thank you.

[Speaker 2] (56:45 – 58:48)
So if anyone’s interested In reading more about what our charity does Anna Kennedy online. You can check www.annakennedyonline.com if you want to follow me on social media I’m at Anna Kennedy one on Twitter Anna Kennedy OBA on Instagram and Anna Kennedy online on Facebook if you want to Basically look at our resources pages There’s lots of information on there or if you want to write an article for the charity website, please Get in touch with the charity and send in a little bit of a bio about what you would like to write about And then we’re you know, we’re always sharing information on the charity website Um, if you’d like to be a speaker if you’d like to join me on women’s radio Please either message the radio station or message me on The charity website or through social media. Okay, so many messages through social media Especially now a lot more from autistic adults that are really struggling, you know supporting someone at the minute that was homeless We’re just talking about homeless Um, it’s been sleeping on the streets for three months in a tent when it was completely freezing cold uh, i’m glad to say after some fundraising in the hotel And we’ve had a few hiccups, but hopefully fingers crossed he’s going to be moving in on wednesday Um, so yeah, so i’m excited about that i’ve been chatting To this gentleman and he’s got a dog Um, yeah, so it’s been a it’s been really hard been trying to support him and keeping His chin up if you like, um the last few weeks. So Yeah, it’s just one day at a time.

So I just want to say thank you so much Jamison for talking to me. It was lovely to meet jackson And I hope to meet you all again soon And thank you for taking the time out and sharing your story right from being homeless to being a chef to looking after your Lovely sons and uh, yeah, it’s been a pleasure talking to you.

[Speaker 1] (58:48 – 58:53)
Hey, it’s been great Thank you so much on that Oh, thank you.

[Speaker 2] (58:53 – 59:57)
So, um You’re going to be writing an article So it’s going to be on the charity website So people want to read a little bit more or any links that has been useful for jameson. It’ll share those too So again, they’ll only be on our latest news page, which is www.annikkinnesseyonline.com and don’t forget as well. We have a newsletter that what we do is we share it It’s free every quarter.

We have workshops as well. My husband sean does workshops and also paul Who’s one of my autistic ambassadors? He’s fantastic and doing lots of different workshops, too So always useful information we keep sharing and we also have um an autistic um Individual one of my ambassadors that actually looks after the website now.

So that’s fantastic Um, yeah, so it’s um one day at a time keep going We’ll get there. I know we’re living in uncertain times at the moment. It can be a bit stressful But we’re all supporting each other within the awesome community and that’s how it should be.

Thanks again jameson and thank you everybody Bye. Thank you. Take care everyone